You know, I like stupid nonsense on Youtube. I still watch Youtube Poop, for God's sake, I'm an idiot and I'm not ashamed.
You and I have a lot in common it seems. Ever heard of HowToBasic or FilthyFrank? Don't look them up if you haven't, though.
Anyways, there's something innocent and at least genuine about those YTPs in their stunning 320x240 quality: they're not meant as anything more than a stupid WMM dump - they're not monetized content, deceitful product placement, or formula-produced big-budget sensationalism nonsense.
Really, the downfall of Youtube as a whole but also for a single Youtubers seems to be when it becomes about the money (or the fame, or the subs). Youtube is now a draconian business venture, riding on the thin veneer of the casual facade of their biggest stars to promote the light feeling people desire in their choice of escapism. Likewise, a youtuber needs to remain down-to-earth and seem genuine even when s/he needs to continue to amp up their personality beyond "Game Show Host" excitement levels in order to keep their audience stimulated and excited.
You can take a look at Markiplier's old videos for example. He spoke calmly and methodically, speaking only when necessary and cursing occasionally. Now, he's a caricature: he's coloured his hair, he shouts into his microphone nonstop, he's got no self control in what he talks about, and he's excessively emotional - he'll cry at anything sad, scream at anything frightening, and curse at anything annoying. His fans will defend his caprice as "coming out of his shell" I'm sure, but the reality is he's hamming it up. No human acts like that naturally, he's making a good show for his fans. He wants his fans because it's his way of life - it's how the bills get paid at the end of the month. My point is he's changed into something he's not for the money/fame/subs.
This has sort of happened to Youtube; it's becoming clear that youtube's suggestions and website layout are increasingly becoming adapted not for a broader audience or fine-tuned suggestions for your enjoyment, it's become blunted down and flooded with pop culture garbage. The latest in whatever computer-generated music high schoolers listen to, the latest from millionaire talk shows, the latest from celebrity gossip, and the latest top ten list from Buzzfeed.
Yeah, like we need more buzzfeed.
Youtube is welcoming big buck corporate influence into a community who literally went there to avoid it. You can't go about running Youtube like a McD's. People go to McD's to get the same burger wherever they are in the world. In contrast, people go to Youtube each looking for a specific thing, unique and individual. If they wanted a McDonalds experience, they'd turn on TV to cable.
Now, I know that Google needs to earn money, and I have really nothing against big companies and big media on Youtube - it's not an exclusive group - I have a problem with the way it's being done. They're prioritizing the big guys over any small Youtuber: if you want proof, just take one look at the homepage. And not just in video suggestions: Youtube is turning a blind eye to big companies like Nintendo as they literally ravage small Youtubers out of their jobs. I could go on and on.
Reaction videos are just a great example of how broken Youtube is right now. I don't watch them, they don't hurt me, so after all they don't really mean anything to me except as an indicator of Youtube's corruption.
My point is clear enough I think, though I must add that even with of this nonsense going on, I'm not in the least bit concerned. "Life goes on, man" as The Dude said, and fussing about with Youtube's affairs isn't worth wasting your time on. Pick up a book (I know a good one), watch a movie, or better yet, go mountain biking or something. We don't have enough trips around the sun to concern ourselves with the inevitable corruption of anything as big as Youtube. When it gets bad enough, it'll fail, and something else will rise from the ashes. The people behind the channels don't disappear when Youtube does.
And that's pretty much everything I can possibly say about Youtube. Ever.